production date question for all makes....

[Stadpad]

hallo, is there a specific month in the year that changes the model year of a car from the current year to the next? for example if a car is built in 1998 on a certain month it would still be considered a 98, or if its built past a certain month it would be considered a 1999. also is this switch over month the same for all cars?

 

[racinrabbit1]

you usually see the cars with prod. dates of august or later as being listed as the next year. Most new models will launch around september. So a car manufactured in 8/12 would most likely be considered a 2013 due to the fact that it probably wouldn't hit the sales lot until sometime in september.

 

[Skipdr]

I think it depends on the maker. I remember when my parents were looking for a car, Mercedes had all their 2007's in about September but BMW still only had the 2006.

 

[nouse4aname]

There's no hard and fast rule for that, no. Up to the maker and even they have their own variations.

 

[Stadpad]

the only reason i ask is i ordered a part for a mitsu galant, i went by the build date on the door jamb sticker. i cant remember the month but it said 1998. i went to install the window regulator and i found out it was the wrong one. so i go home and do some research on the web and find a regualtor for a 99 galant that is different. i ask the owner of the car and she said her registration says its a 99. the window regulators are different from the 98 to 99. fml. simple mistake but thats life for ya.